Systems and methods for soundscape selection in autonomous vehicles

Abstract

Systems and method are provided for controlling a vehicle. A method of soundscape selection in a vehicle includes receiving a number of biometric parameters from sensors provided within an interior of the vehicle, and determining a state-of-mind of an occupant within the interior of the vehicle based on the biometric parameters. The method further includes selecting, with a soundscape determination module including a processor, a soundscape responsive to the state of mind of the occupant, and providing to the vehicle a set of vehicle parameters based on the selected soundscape.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of soundscape selection in a vehicle, the method comprising:
 receiving a plurality of biometric parameters from one or more sensors provided within an interior of the vehicle; 
 determining, using an artificial neural network, a state of mind of an occupant within the interior of the vehicle based on the biometric parameters and a plurality of vehicular context parameters; 
 determining, using a decision tree and with a soundscape determination module including a processor, a soundscape that changes the state of mind of the occupant; and 
 providing to the vehicle a set of vehicle parameters based on the selected soundscape. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the vehicular context parameters include an estimated time that the vehicle is likely to travel along a vehicle path to a destination selected by the occupant. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein receiving a plurality of biometric parameters includes receiving a plurality of biometric parameters from at least one of an optical camera, an infrared camera, a brainwave activity sensor, and an audio microphone provided within the interior of the vehicle. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the set of vehicle parameters include at least one of transmission shift points, maximum acceleration rate, torque converter clutch slip, exhaust noise, road noise, engine mount rates, active noise cancellation, cylinder deactivation, tire pressure, suspension adjustment, and audio media selection. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the soundscape is determined to amplify the state of mind of the occupant. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the soundscape is determined to counteract the state of mind of the occupant. 
     
     
       7. An autonomous vehicle comprising:
 one or more sensors provided within an interior of the autonomous vehicle, the one or more sensors configured to observe an occupant within the interior of the autonomous vehicle and produce a plurality of biometric parameters associated therewith; 
 a state of mind determination module, including a processor, configured to determine a state of mind of an occupant within the interior of the vehicle based on the plurality of biometric parameters and a vehicular context parameters and using an artificial neural network; and 
 a soundscape determination module, including the processor, configured to determine a soundscape that changes the state of mind of the occupant based on a decision tree and provide to the vehicle a set of vehicle parameters based on the selected soundscape. 
 
     
     
       8. The autonomous vehicle of  claim 7 , wherein the vehicular context parameters include an estimated time that the vehicle is likely to travel along a vehicle path to a destination selected by the occupant. 
     
     
       9. The autonomous vehicle of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of biometric parameters are received from at least one of an optical camera, an infrared camera, a brainwave activity sensor, and an audio microphone provided within the interior of the vehicle. 
     
     
       10. The autonomous vehicle of  claim 7 , wherein the set of vehicle parameters include at least one of transmission shift points, maximum acceleration rate, torque converter clutch slip, exhaust noise, road noise, engine mount rates, active noise cancellation, cylinder deactivation, tire pressure, suspension adjustment, and audio media selection. 
     
     
       11. The autonomous vehicle of  claim 7 , wherein the soundscape is determined to amplify the state of mind of the occupant. 
     
     
       12. The autonomous vehicle of  claim 7 , wherein the soundscape is determined to counteract the state of mind of the occupant. 
     
     
       13. A system for controlling an autonomous vehicle, the system comprising:
 one or more sensors provided within an interior of the autonomous vehicle, the one or more sensors configured to observe an occupant within the interior of the autonomous vehicle and produce a plurality of biometric parameters associated therewith; 
 a state of mind determination module, including a processor, configured to determine a state of mind of an occupant within the interior of the vehicle based on the plurality of biometric parameters and a vehicular context parameters and using an artificial neural network; and 
 a soundscape determination module, including the processor, configured to determine a soundscape that changes the state of mind of the occupant based on a decision tree and provide to the vehicle a set of vehicle parameters based on the selected soundscape. 
 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the vehicular context parameters include an estimated time that the vehicle is likely to travel along a vehicle path to a destination selected by the occupant. 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of biometric parameters are received from at least one of an optical camera, an infrared camera, a brainwave activity sensor, and an audio microphone provided within the interior of the vehicle. 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the set of vehicle parameters include at least one of transmission shift points, maximum acceleration rate, torque converter clutch slip, exhaust noise, road noise, engine mount rates, active noise cancellation, cylinder deactivation, tire pressure, suspension adjustment, and audio media selection. 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the soundscape is determined to counteract the state of mind of the occupant.